Pendergrass getting high marks despite lack of elected experience

Corey Perrine/Staff
District 2's Cecil Pendergrass shakes hands with Estero Fire Rescue's Commisioner, Dick Schweers Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 at Estero Community Park. A few dozen came to hear keynote speaker Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass during the Estero Council of Community Leaders meeting. Pendergrass came to update the group on issues Lee County faces this year.

Naples Daily News

Cecil Pendergrass brought a keener eye than usual to the Lee County Commission meetings leading up to the November election.

As a candidate for the District 2 seat, Pendergrass said he wanted to learn the issues, procedures and intricacies about how the meetings are conducted.

Now, three months into his tenure, Pendergrass's homework is paying off. Despite being the only commissioner without previous experience in elected office, Pendergrass is serving as the commission chairman and is receiving accolades from his colleagues and constituents.

"I really do think for his lack of experience, he's done an exceptional job," Commissioner John Manning said.

Before he was elected, Pendergrass served on several homeowner and community boards after retiring from the Fort Myers Police Department, where he worked for 25 years, three of which as the community affairs manager.

Now he serves alongside three experienced commissioners — Manning, Frank Mann and Tammy Hall — as well as newly-elected Commissioner Larry Kiker, who previously served as the mayor of Fort Myers Beach. But despite not having experience in elected office — Pendergrass ran unsuccessfully for a commission seat in 2010 — he said he doesn't feel overmatched.

"When I ran for office, I was prepared for that position. I was very involved. From day one I hit the ground running," Pendergrass said. "We have not had any issues since I've been there as far as function."

The day Pendergrass was sworn into office, he was also named the commission chairman. The chairmanship is on a yearlong rotation, and Pendergrass's district was next in line. His fellow commissioners believed he was ready for the responsibility.

With a little guidance, Pendergrass led his first meeting seamlessly, Manning said.

"I think he was up to the task," Manning said. "To run a campaign and be successful against some pretty good opponents he should have the opportunity to serve as chairman. I think he's doing a good job. He's running the meetings well and understands the issues and agendas."

Pendergrass said he's been putting in about 80 hours a week, including attending neighborhood meetings after hours, community meetings early in the morning and even the occasional weekend meeting with property owners and business owners.

"I want to listen to the community, have some connection to them," Pendergrass said. "In the past, other elected officials lost touch with the community. I am the community commissioner."

At a recent Estero Council of Community Leaders meeting, Pendergrass spoke about the hot-button impact fee moratorium proposal currently being considered by commissioners. Pendergrass said he's received more than 700 emails on the subject and hundreds of phone calls. He insists he's called everyone back and tried to respond to every email.

"He is one of the hardest working people I've ever met," Kiker said. "He is everywhere all the time and he represents the board very well."

Kiker said there has also been a noticeable change in the demeanor of the commission.

"I think also if you've been watching some of the meetings he's handled them like a real pro," Kiker said of Pendergrass. "He has a real calming effect and it's indicative of how he handles people."